The Metal 7 vacuum disc filters are well known in the North American iron ore industry for their efficiency and high capacity. They have been implemented in plants in Minnesota, Michigan and Canada in replacement of smaller vacuum disc filters produced by others.

Their main features are their higher tonnage per hour utilising similar amounts of vacuum already available in the plant with better control on moisture content.

Metal 7 has been involved in the production of vacuum disc filters since 2002. In the beginning, Metal 7’s contribution consisted of developing cost effective solutions to improve filter dependability. The company’s expertise in abrasion resistant coatings was the key factor to be involved in this project. Coatings were developed for a variety of components including valve plates, bearing journals on the trunnion and agitator shaft sleeves. Progressively, Metal 7’s scope of work also extended to the redesign of critical parts of the filters and to the manufacturing of the complete units.

Since 2002, Metal 7 has manufactured several large 12 disc – 9 feet diameter, vacuum disc filters for the North American market. The company is now responsible for the marketing and manufacturing of these units for Canada, Latin America, Europe and Asia.

The main characteristics of the Metal 7 vacuum disc filters are the following:

- External vacuum tubes up to 140 mm in diameter;
- Simple and effective chain driven design eliminating problems with worm gear design;
- Ceramic coated bearing journals on drive and idler trunnions eliminating wear;
- Wear resistant with low coefficient of friction coating on valve plates;
- Ceramic coated agitator shaft sleeves;
- Rubber lined stainless steel radial rods, trunnion sleeves, etc. for long wear life;
- Rubber lined vacuum tubes and vacuum head.